Chinatown Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Chinatown which includes street scenes
Chinatown
Chinatown featuring street scenes, signage and a city
Chinatown which includes street scenes
Chinatown featuring street scenes

San Francisco Chinatown is a colourful treat for visitors. Packed with authentic restaurants, exotic shops, ornate temples and buzzing food markets.

As one of the most densely populated and vibrant areas of the United States, this place hasn’t been without drama during its 160-year existence. It has witnessed turf wars, opium dens, bootleggers and secret clubs and societies. It also even had an unhealthy dose of bubonic plague. This colourful past has helped to shape the rich character of its contemporary culture making it one of San Francisco’s most popular districts to visit. In common with many other San Francisco districts, the Chinatown area was rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake and its resulting fires that destroyed large areas of the city. Today it’s a distinctive and striking area.

Begin your Chinatown experience at Chinatown Gate, located at the intersection of Bush Street and Grant Avenue. You can’t miss this entrance with its pagoda-topped design. The ceremonial entrance to the area is decorated with ornamental dragons and is guarded at either side by stone Fu dogs.

Come inside for an authentic experience. The markets sell live turtles and chickens and a host of other animals. Located down a back alley, known as Ross Alley, you’ll stumble across the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Your nose will guide you there. Inhale the distinctive delicious aromas as you approach. This is the only hand-made fortune cookie maker in San Francisco, which makes cookies of all varieties and sizes. You’re welcome to step inside to see the cookies being made and best of all, you can buy a bag of freshly-baked cookies to take away with you.

Not to be missed is the abundance of Chinese restaurants serving up a huge variety of authentic Chinese cuisine. There are dim sum restaurants and souvenir shops galore in the main tourist area but don’t just stick to the main streets. Head off down the labyrinth of back alleys where you’ll discover a different world with many a secluded gem secreted away waiting to be discovered.

The sights, smells and sounds of Chinatown are highly distinctive and will stay with you for a long time after you visit. It really should be on every visitor’s schedule. Chinatown is well within walking distance from the downtown area. Streetcars also service the area.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Chinatown Hotel Deals

Orchard Garden Hotel

Orchard Garden Hotel

4 out of 5
466 Bush St, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$271 per night from 17 Oct to 18 Oct
AU$271
per night
17 Oct - 18 Oct
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,006 reviews)
Excellent hotel in the heart of downtown
"All was great and centrally located in SF. No parking so make sure to reserve a nearby parking spot"

Reviewed on 14 Sept 2025

Orchard Garden Hotel
Executive Hotel Vintage Court

Executive Hotel Vintage Court

3 out of 5
650 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$226 per night from 29 Sept to 30 Sept
AU$226
per night
29 Sept - 30 Sept
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,187 reviews)
"The staff was nice for the price it’s good safe close to shops"

Reviewed on 14 Sept 2025

Executive Hotel Vintage Court
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$250 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
AU$250
per night
19 Oct - 20 Oct
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,584 reviews)
"Everything was fine but not OUTSTANDING. Would recommend!"

Reviewed on 18 Sept 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Hyatt Regency San Francisco

Hyatt Regency San Francisco

4 out of 5
5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$407 per night from 25 Sept to 26 Sept
AU$407
per night
25 Sept - 26 Sept
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,883 reviews)
"Great location, good staff, impressive building architecture. However, I have two small complains: my minibar was empty and the girl at the market wasn´t nice when I went to buy a sandwich."

Reviewed on 16 Sept 2025

Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
2500 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$308 per night from 21 Oct to 22 Oct
AU$308
per night
21 Oct - 22 Oct
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,845 reviews)
"Great location. Walking distance to Fisherman's Wharf."

Reviewed on 19 Sept 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1177 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA
The price is AU$174 per night from 28 Sept to 29 Sept
AU$174
per night
28 Sept - 29 Sept
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Burlingame. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (2,192 reviews)
"Front desk staff not very friendly."

Reviewed on 18 Sept 2025

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Chinatown

Union Square which includes a skyscraper and a city

Union Square

4/5(249 area reviews)

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Union Square. Check out top attractions like Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators and Union Square, and jump on the metro at Powell St & Geary Blvd Stop or Powell St & Post St Stop to see more of the city.

Union Square
Nob Hill which includes a city and street scenes

Nob Hill

4/5(59 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from SF Masonic Auditorium to Cable Car Museum – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nob Hill
Financial District - Ferry Building

Financial District

4/5(16 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from Embarcadero Center to TransAmerica Pyramid – discover Financial District, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Financial District
North Beach showing skyline and a city

North Beach

4.5/5(124 area reviews)

Travellers love North Beach for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Columbus Ave & Lombard St Stop or Columbus Ave & Chestnut St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay.

North Beach
Default Image

Russian Hill

4/5(1 area review)

Travellers choose Russian Hill for its pristine beaches. Hop aboard the metro at Hyde St & Filbert St Stop or Hyde St & Union St Stop and check out top sights like Macondray Lane.

Russian Hill
Default Image

Downtown San Francisco

3/5(34 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Francisco. Top attractions like Oracle Park and Chase Center are major draws. Catch the metro at Market St & 5th St Stop or Market St & Taylor St Stop to see more of the city.

Downtown San Francisco


Chinatown Travel Guide

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